Alleged iPhone 5 USB Cable Confirms Miniature Port

News
By Tuan Mai
published

Leaked photo shows Apple's next generation USB cable?

With the iPhone 5 pre-orders opening up in a matter of weeks, another leak may confirm previous rumors regarding a smaller, miniature dock connector. Unless there is some sort of elaborate conspiracy going on between third party accessory makers, it's probably safe to say the new iPhone is coming with a smaller dock connector and a whole new set of accessories.

An alleged next-generation Apple USB connector cable appeared in a leaked photo yesterday. With rumors of a similarly shaped 16-pin port for the new iPhone, iPad and iPad mini, we may be looking at the future of Apple's unique USB cables. Since the cable appears to be longer than standard Apple cables, some have suggested this cable may be a third-party creation based on Apple's plans.

The connector on the cable definitely matches up with earlier leaked photos, detailing two sides with 8 pins each. While the exact benefits of the smaller connector are still unknown, some speculate it will clip into devices with a looser connection, presumably similar to the MagSafe connectors currently used in the company's MacBooks.

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Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai is a Los Angeles based writer and marketing manager working within the PC Hardware industry. He has written for Tom's Guide since 2010, with a special interest in the weird and quirky.
40 Comments Comment from the forums
  • I can't believe Apple continues to use these proprietary ports for their iDevices instead of moving to standards like microUSB. Is the concept of charging royalties for every iPhone accessory so appealing that they'd sacrifice consumer convenience for it? Kinda goes against their purported philosophy of making everything easy to use for the end-user.
    Reply
  • idroid
    Apple changing their connector is almost as stupid as Microsoft eliminating the start button,
    Reply
  • jdog2pt0
    Yay :D More proprietary bullshit from Apple!

    Apple, contributing to the electronics industry since....uh....hm.....never.
    Reply
  • freggo
    idroidApple changing their connector is almost as stupid as Microsoft eliminating the start button,
    Changing the connector is expensive to the consumer as you have to buy new cables; or even new accessories. The missing Start button (dumb move) is just an inconvenience that some 3rd party will most likely fix with some -free- utility.

    Reply
  • aicom
    Apple won't switch to microUSB because the dock connector does more than just connect to a PC and charge the device. It also acts as an audio and video output which other devices use a mini-HDMI port for instead of a single connector for both. Apple really likes the idea of having just one port and there's no standard that would allow them to do all they want to do so they roll their own. I'd personally prefer 2 ports but ultimately it's their choice.
    Reply
  • tomfreak
    mini usb + mini HDMI > any shit dock connector.
    Reply
  • nocteratus
    If I have to change all my accessories with new ones, I better go with something else than apple/iphone 5 like samsung SGIII...
    Reply
  • billgatez
    Change connector make millions of people buying new chargers radios and adapters for there cars. There is enough room for the old connector but apple greedy so they changed it.
    Reply
  • Kamab
    "While the exact benefits of the smaller connector are still unknown"

    The benefits are the millions it will make apple in licensing fees. The old connected was thin enough to not impact form factor decisions (though a smaller connector could help a *little"
    Reply
  • eternalkp
    this is so stupid.
    this new connection is retarded
    how about the fact that numerous devices such as speakers, vehicle connection cannot be used because of this port...what is apple thinking
    is this the best apple could come up with as a new idea?
    my iphone 4 will be my last apple product i will ever own
    Reply